Spring Overland Trip April 5-8

[Antman]

WOW half full and were 3 months out! Crazy!

Over the last year I have learned a bunch about communications and I have become more and more frustrated with CB radios. Frankly they are garbage. I know many of you spent $ buying CBs for last years trip but the limitations of the technology was apparent with a group of this size. For this trip we will primarily communicate via HAM and secondary on GRMS. All primary comms will take place on HAM and GRMS will be reserved for those who do not have HAM to communicate vital information to the group (bathroom, emergency, Im lost, Antman is lost).

What's grms? I love my CB. Properly setup it works great. You guys just don't know wtf you're doing. Ha!

Seriously though- what's grms

 

[08runnertjb]

First post updated with additional participants and the recommendation for rear facing dust lights. As many of you experienced last spring the dust can be blinding and rear facing amber lights significantly improve safety.

I'm in too. Didn't see me on the list.

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[Sleeter]

What's grms? I love my CB. Properly setup it works great. You guys just don't know wtf you're doing. Ha!

Seriously though- what's grms

handheld Motorola type radios.

https://www.amazon.com/Midland-LXT5...=1515024661&sr=8-1&keywords=grms+2+way+radios

 

[Sleeter]

I'm in too. Didn't see me on the list.

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Opps I missed you, your on the list now.

 

[08runnertjb]

Opps I missed you, your on the list now.

Thanks

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[Antman]

handheld Motorola type radios.

https://www.amazon.com/Midland-LXT5...=1515024661&sr=8-1&keywords=grms+2+way+radios

Well...I guess I'll be the only one with the cool CB then. There's always the cell phone,:faint:

 

[geocook717]

Man spots are filling quick! Rock on

 

[techno]

Over the last year I have learned a bunch about communications and I have become more and more frustrated with CB radios. Frankly they are garbage. I know many of you spent $ buying CBs for last years trip but the limitations of the technology was apparent with a group of this size. For this trip we will primarily communicate via HAM and secondary on GRMS. All primary comms will take place on HAM and GRMS will be reserved for those who do not have HAM to communicate vital information to the group (bathroom, emergency, Im lost, Antman is lost).

So what's your beef with CB? In the past I've often run with CB and UHF comms and use which ever one was working better. UFH sucks for anything more than a mile away (usually) but has much better transmission quality, but CB has always been my go to when line of sight is compromised by terrain and trees since it has much better range properties. I only have a hand held CB now.

 

[Sleeter]

So what's your beef with CB? In the past I've often run with CB and UHF comms and use which ever one was working better. UFH sucks for anything more than a mile away (usually) but has much better transmission quality, but CB has always been my go to when line of sight is compromised by terrain and trees since it has much better range properties. I only have a hand held CB now.

Primarily clarity and propagation are poor with a well tuned CB, add that most CBs are poorly tuned if at all. This is OK if your in a small group but these limitations become a liability with a group of this size.

 

[techno]

I know very little about ham radio. What advantages does it give? If I go out and buy a ham radio, can I use it straight off the shelf?

 

[Sleeter]

I know very little about ham radio. What advantages does it give? If I go out and buy a ham radio, can I use it straight off the shelf?

There is nothing physically stopping you, but the FCC requires a license. Interestingly the FCC also requires a license for GRMS but I have never once seen anyone with a GRMS license. Noone in this trip ask to see your license and we will be operating on a known Offroad frq in simplex mode (no repeater), I think you can sleep well at night if you buy a radio. Additionally the test is fairly easy if you choose to go that route.

Edit- the advantages of Ham are staggering IMHO, I would suggest you read this write up.CB vs HAM Radio - ExploringNH

It sums up my feelings exactly.

 

[afiremensrunner4]

You can count us in tentatively as long as nothing bizarre comes up. Can't wait to see some of y'all again from the cove trip.

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[gfxcruncher]

[MENTION=137555]Sleeter[/MENTION] & [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] (and whoever else is knowledgable on this)
It's not fancy schmancy, but for a "minimal" ham setup, does this look ok?

I used one that looked really similar to this on Day 2 of [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] 's Winter trip the other week. Sounded really clear.

<b>BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAULSOK/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2WVT02CKPVJBB&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=0

with a 12v plugin. It says the battery goes for 17 hours, but I don't think that's enough to get through a 4 day trip.

<b>BaoFeng BL-5 12V Battery Eliminator for BF-F8HP, UV-5X3, and UV-5R Radios</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ6VGUW/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I368K9YR9DNSXC&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=1

Because it's just not cool to be out on the trail with a trucker mic

<b>BTECH QHM22 Platinum Series IP54 Rainproof Shoulder Speaker Mic for BaoFeng, BTECH, Kenwood Radios</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z4X3MM6/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1X532I0PSBWO4&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=0

And it's not "overlanding" unless you have an antenna off your rig (seriously though, thinking it would greatly increase the range)

<b>Authentic Genuine Nagoya UT-72 Super Loading Coil 19-Inch Magnetic Mount VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Antenna PL-259</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016SIJX28/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2E5MEMOK7UX4L&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=1

I also see the USB programming cable suggested, is that really beneficial? or is programming in the channel (or two) that will be needed not that bad? I have no idea how that works...
<b>Compatible USB Programming Cable for Baofeng Two way Radio UV-5R, BF-888S,BF-F8+ With Driver CD</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RZJHJU/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IGZ4HL6SA4PRY&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=0

Basically comes down to ~130 bucks...

 

[Sleeter]

[MENTION=137555]Sleeter[/MENTION] & [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] (and whoever else is knowledgable on this)
It's not fancy schmancy, but for a "minimal" ham setup, does this look ok?

I used one that looked really similar to this on Day 2 of [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] 's Winter trip the other week. Sounded really clear.

<b>BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAULSOK/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2WVT02CKPVJBB&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=0

with a 12v plugin. It says the battery goes for 17 hours, but I don't think that's enough to get through a 4 day trip.

<b>BaoFeng BL-5 12V Battery Eliminator for BF-F8HP, UV-5X3, and UV-5R Radios</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ6VGUW/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I368K9YR9DNSXC&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=1

Because it's just not cool to be out on the trail with a trucker mic

<b>BTECH QHM22 Platinum Series IP54 Rainproof Shoulder Speaker Mic for BaoFeng, BTECH, Kenwood Radios</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z4X3MM6/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1X532I0PSBWO4&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=0

And it's not "overlanding" unless you have an antenna off your rig (seriously though, thinking it would greatly increase the range)

<b>Authentic Genuine Nagoya UT-72 Super Loading Coil 19-Inch Magnetic Mount VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Antenna PL-259</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016SIJX28/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2E5MEMOK7UX4L&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=1

I also see the USB programming cable suggested, is that really beneficial? or is programming in the channel (or two) that will be needed not that bad? I have no idea how that works...
<b>Compatible USB Programming Cable for Baofeng Two way Radio UV-5R, BF-888S,BF-F8+ With Driver CD</b>
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RZJHJU/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IGZ4HL6SA4PRY&colid=243UA3EZF8U0E&psc=0

Basically comes down to ~130 bucks...

Looks good, you might need a adapter to go from the coax to the handheld. Programming cable will make loading a bunch for frq super easy. You could also go with a 5w handheld to save more $

 

[gfxcruncher]

Looks good, you might need a adapter to go from the coax to the handheld. Programming cable will make loading a bunch for frq super easy. You could also go with a 5w handheld to save more $

Ok, thanks for the feedback... I'll look into it.

Is it April yet??

 

[carlos.elmotor]

Yep, that's exactly what you used [MENTION=174597]gfxcruncher[/MENTION] (minus the external antenna... that part was on the top of my truck tied into my FT-7900).

That little external antenna is great, just make sure when you order that you're buying one that has the pigtail included. The connection on the radio won't connect directly to a PL-259 coax connector.

I respectfully recommend that you go with the highest Watt output that fits your budget. These little 8 Watt HT's with an external antenna work pretty well for the standard caravan COMMS.

I *also* respectfully recommend that you plan on studying and taking the test for your license. Being knowledgable of the basics *and* being able to use repeaters turns that little 8 Watt HT into a pretty versatile and easy to transport little piece of gear. The 5 vs 8 Watt consideration is debatable, but when you're trying to reach out to a distant repeater, those 3 extra Watts can be the difference between successfully reaching out and touching the repeater and being too scratchy and garbled for others on the net to make out your transmissions.

[MENTION=137555]Sleeter[/MENTION] & [MENTION=141503]carlos.elmotor[/MENTION] (and whoever else is knowledgable on this)
It's not fancy schmancy, but for a "minimal" ham setup, does this look ok?

Basically comes down to ~130 bucks...

 

[Dougthelurk]

Yep, that's exactly what you used [MENTION=174597]gfxcruncher[/MENTION] (minus the external antenna... that part was on the top of my truck tied into my FT-7900).

That little external antenna is great, just make sure when you order that you're buying one that has the pigtail included. The connection on the radio won't connect directly to a PL-259 coax connector.

I respectfully recommend that you go with the highest Watt output that fits your budget. These little 8 Watt HT's with an external antenna work pretty well for the standard caravan COMMS.

I *also* respectfully recommend that you plan on studying and taking the test for your license. Being knowledgable of the basics *and* being able to use repeaters turns that little 8 Watt HT into a pretty versatile and easy to transport little piece of gear. The 5 vs 8 Watt consideration is debatable, but when you're trying to reach out to a distant repeater, those 3 extra Watts can be the difference between successfully reaching out and touching the repeater and being too scratchy and garbled for others on the net to make out your transmissions.

what's typical range for the 8w HT while out on the trail on the supplied antenna? i understand that environmentals play a huge part...just wanting to know what to expect or if should just go with a more permanent solution.

 

[Sleeter]

what's typical range for the 8w HT while out on the trail on the supplied antenna? i understand that environmentals play a huge part...just wanting to know what to expect or if should just go with a more permanent solution.

Without an external antenna it’s line of sight. It’s amazing how much the vehicle acts like a faraday cage.

With a external antenna we have been able to clearly communicate 2-3 miles with a hill blocking direct line of sight.

 

[gfxcruncher]

... just make sure when you order that you're buying one that has the pigtail included.

Yeah, The one I'm looking at has the pigtail, but I'll definitely make sure when purchasing.

I respectfully recommend that you go with the highest Watt output that fits your budget.

That's what I was thinking, trying to squeeze as much bang for the buck as I can, don't want to have to upgrade again for subsequent trips...

I *also* respectfully recommend that you plan on studying and taking the test for your license....

Absolutely part of the plan. I also need this also for solo adventures too.

Thanks for the input and recommendations guys!

 

[Dougthelurk]

Without an external antenna it’s line of sight. It’s amazing how much the vehicle acts like a faraday cage.

With a external antenna we have been able to clearly communicate 2-3 miles with a hill blocking direct line of sight.

Ok. So I might as well get on with a high wattage system with antenna. I park in my garage so height is an issue; I’m open to mounting suggestions. At the rear hatch seems like it might be best?